The enterprise zone states in the suit that the former owners of the bakery that closed its doors in October — married couple Stephen A. Wilson and Jill McClennen — defaulted on their initial 10-year loan of $46,837.

The city is looking to claim the remaining balance owed — $33,974.25 as of Nov. 19. The city also wants the couple to pay for attorney fees and the cost of the suit.

Wilson and McClennen accepted the loan in June 2010 to offset the cost of new equipment.

According to Vineland Economic Development Director Sandy Forosisky, the couple is five months overdue. Forosisky said there were no instances of missed payments before the couples’ default.

Wilson said continuing discussions between his lawyer, Vineland attorney William Gilson, and the city, have seen progress.

Those talks include finding a new tenant to take over the property and purchase leftover equipment, which would offset costs of the loan repayment.

“I’m confident that they will come to a conclusion that will be beneficial to everybody,” Wilson said.

The bakery was one of several businesses that were part of the Restaurant Row initiative, which offered loans to attract eateries to set up shop on Landis Avenue.

After initially opening up shop on Sixth Street in 2007, the bakery later moved in 2010 to Landis Avenue, expanding its new location with financial assistance from the city.

Funds came from the Urban Enterprise Zone program, which exists to spur economic development in urban communities.

In October, the bakery closed, its owners stating that the demands of their business were too cumbersome for their family. Wilson also had become a pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia.

The news had come some eight months after the bakery reduced its retail business hours to concentrate solely on special-order cakes.

The Vineland Downtown Improvement District currently owns the building at 601 E. Landis Ave.

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